{"id":3301,"date":"2020-02-06T23:46:27","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T04:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fromh2h.com\/?p=3301"},"modified":"2024-11-23T01:17:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-23T06:17:28","slug":"compact-shade-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/compact-shade-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"Ground Cover Plants For Shade (Perennials That Keep Weeds Down)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

These beautiful compact perennials can be used as ground cover plants for shade. They will add interest to the shady areas of your garden while helping to keep the weeds down.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"shade<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Compact perennial plants that can be planted under taller plants add interesting layers to your garden and help to keep the weeds down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there are some shade ground cover perennials that bloom brilliantly without much sun, many rely more on foliage and color variations rather than flowers to create interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I find that dense planting of shade tolerant perennials requires very little maintenance and minimal weeding, as long as they are adequately watered. I also amend the soil with compost and triple mix prior to planting and use a thick layer of mulch to retain moisture and restore nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are some of my favorite compact shade perennials that grow to be less than 18\u201d high, and are excellent ground covers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low maintenance & non invasive plants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you read through the first section of plants, you may be wondering why you don’t see the standards (like Periwinkle and Pachysandra) in the list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason is that I don’t like to plant them in the garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can be hard to keep in check once they get established, so I stick to more low maintenance and non-invasive ground covers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in case you need to cover a large area and don’t mind doing some extra work, I included those more aggressive plants at the bottom of the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 | Hellebore (Lenten Rose or Christmas Rose)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Row<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zones<\/strong>: 4 to 9
Light<\/strong>: Shade
Bloom Time<\/strong>: Late Winter to Early Summer
Height<\/strong>: 12″ to 18″
Spread<\/strong>: 18″ to 24″<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hellebore is one of the first plants to bloom in the spring, earning it the nickname ‘Christmas rose’. But even though it starts early, it can continue to blossom all spring.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"White<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The foliage is evergreen and low growing–which makes it a perfect plant for the front of a shady border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Picotee<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The blooms range in color from cream, light green, speckled pink or burgundy to glorious double pink or white in the hybrid \u2018Ellen\u2019 series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only maintenance I do, is to tidy the appearance by removing any dead leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Double<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They have become very popular, which means new varieties are coming out all the time, like these ones with double flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Purple<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Or these purple ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more information about growing Hellebores HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy them HERE.<\/a>*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 | Brunnera macrophylla \u2018Jack Frost\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Brunnera
Brunnera Macrophyla ‘Jack Frost’<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Zones<\/strong>: 3 to 8
Light<\/strong>: Partial Shade to Shade
Bloom Time<\/strong>: Spring
Height<\/strong>: 12″ to 15″
Spread<\/strong>: 12″ to 24″<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Jack Frost’ Brunnera has gorgeous large, variegated, silver heart-shaped leaves, and sports dainty blue flowers in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Brunnera<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It likes moist soil that isn’t too wet and grows into a lovely mounded plant that fairly glows in the shaded environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leave the foliage to protect the crown over winter and trim it back in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy it HERE.<\/a>*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 | Hosta<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Hostas<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zones<\/strong>: 3 to 9
Light<\/strong>: Shade To Part Shade
Bloom Time<\/strong>: Summer
Height<\/strong>: 6″ to 6′ (depending on the variety)
Spread<\/strong>: 12″ to 6′ (depending on the variety)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hosta is an old standby perennial ground cover that now is available in a variety of variations, leaf and plant size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lime<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I like to put those varieties that have cream, white, or lime green foliage in the darkest spots so that they pop, particularly at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Variegated<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I have a particular fondness for the tough, leathery or waxy leaved hostas because they repel slugs and maintain neat mounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hosta<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Large hostas are big enough to be the backbone of your shade border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most hostas bloom mauve or white in summer.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Hostas<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Learn more about Hostas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n